Massachusetts Constitutional Convention | Broadside announcement of the ratification and implementation of the Massachusetts State Constitution

Massachusetts Constitutional Convention

State of Massachusetts-Bay. In Convention, June 16, 1780. Whereas, upon due Examination of the Returns … it appears that more than Two-thirds of the Inhabitants … have expressed their Approbation of the Form of Government agreed upon by this Convention … this Convention do hereupon declare the said Form to be the Constitution of Government established by and for the Inhabitants of the State of Massachusetts-Bay. … [Boston: Printed by Benjamin Edes and Sons?, 1780]

Letterpress broadside (388 x 262 mm) on a half-sheet of laid paper preserving deckle on two margins. Signed in print by James Bowdoin, President of the Convention. Contemporary endorsement on verso, “The Selectmen of Southborough”; thin line of ink erosion from the endorsement neatly closed on verso.

Broadside announcement of the ratification and implementation of the Massachusetts State Constitution, the oldest functioning written constitution in continuous effect in the world. The compact is largely the work of John Adams, though he was joined on a committee appointed to draft the document by Samuel Adams and James Bowdoin, over whose name, as president of the constitutional convention, the present broadside was issued. In addition to declaring when the constitution would take effect, the present resolution directed that elections be held for governor, lieutenant governor, senators and representatives. A final note directs the Selectmen and Assessors of the towns receiving the broadside “to deliver One to each of their Delegates in the late Convention.” Scarce.

REFERENCES

ESTC W35662; Evans 16846; Ford, Massachusetts Broadsides 2259